Paint can adaptor

ABSTRACT

An attachment for paint cans and the like adapted for easy mounting on the annular rim of the can after the top has been removed. The attachment expedites the pouring of paint from the can and also enables painting directly from the can without contaminating either the outside walls or the top receiving groove of the can with paint. A highly useful paint brush supporting member is provided to support the bristle portion of the brush within the confines of the attachment when the brush is not in use. The supporting member is arranged to correctly support the brush with the bristle portion thereof lower than the handle so that excess paint will drain downwardly into the can. Additionally, the supporting member is located within the attachment to provide an easily accessible straight edge for convenient wiping of excess paint from the bristles of the brush during painting.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,899,107 Gaal 1 Aug. 12, 1975 4] PAINT CAN ADAPTOR Primary Exar'niner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant E.\'an'1inerFrederick R. Handren [76] lnvemor' g tsj fi g g3 b Attorney, Agent, or FirmWhann & McManigal [22] Wed l 57 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 496,401

248/1 [51] Int. Cl. .r' Bd 25/48 [58] Field of Search 222/569, 570; 248/110;

220/ D, 85 SP,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,546,040 3/1951 Murray 222/570 UX 2,722,347 11/1955 Henke 222/570 2,960,257 11/1960 Sasse l 222/570 X 3,395,828 8/1968 Schnabel. 220/90 3,469,735 9/1969 Burt 220/90 3,595,431 7/1971 Bird 220/90 U.S. Cl. 222/570; 220/85 D; 220/90;

An attachment for paint cans and the like adapted for easy mounting on the annular rim of the can after the top has been removed. The attachment expedites the pouring of paint from the can and also enables painting directly from the can without contaminating either the outside walls or the-top receiving groove of the can with paint. A highly useful paint brush supporting member is provided to support the bristle portion of the brush within the confines of the attachment when the brush is not in use. The supporting member is arranged to correctly support the brush with the bristle portion thereof lower than the handle so that excess paint will drain downwardly into the can. Additionally, the supporting member is located within the attachment to provide an easily accessible straight edge for convenient wiping of excess paint from the bristles of the brush during painting.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAINT CAN ADAPTOR BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to an attachment for containers of the type used for paint, varnish, plastic resins, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel attachment for paint cans which facilitates pouring paint from the can, prevents the paint from overflowing during stirring, and also embodies a unique paint brush holder and wiping member.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art Most paint cans or containers presently on the market are provided with a pry-off lid having a friction member receivable into a mating channel or groove provided in the top of the can. After the lid is removed, stirring of the paint within the can invariably causes it to overflow into the groove and down the sides of the can. As a consequence, before the lid can be replaced and the can resealed, the paint must be cleaned from the groove so that the lid may be properly reseated. This is both time-consuming and oftentimes difficult to do.

In those instances where the paint is poured from the standard paint can into another container, spillage is inevitable, further contributing to waste, inconvenience and messiness.

When painting is done by immersing the paint brush directly into the can, various problems are encountered. At the outset, when the brush is wiped on the edge of the can to remove the excess paint in the bristles, overflow results and paint flows into the top groove or channel and down the sides of the can. Further, since the opening in the paint can is circular, wiping the brush along the edge of the opening results in an non-uniform removal of paint from the bristles. This is highly undesirable and makes painting more difi'rcult. Finally, when the painter wishes to set the brush down, often the only convenient surface presented is the top of the can. If the brush is laid across the top of the can, as is typically the case, the handle of the paint brush invariably becomes covered with paint which is then transferred to the painters hands. Also, with the brush straddling the top of the can, paint remaining in the bristles of the brush is free to run down the sides of the can, further contributing to waste and messine'ss.

Although numerous prior art devices have been developed to solve certain of the aforementioned problems, none have adequately solved all of the problems. As will become apparent from the discussion which follows, however, the present invention enables the painter to cope with and effectively solve each of the aforementioned problems in a simple, inexpensive and expedient manner.

The inventor is familiar with the following prior art US. Pat. Nos. which constitute the most pertinent art known to him and which serve to clearly illustrate the novelty of the present invention.

SUMMARY It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, easy to use can attachment which can be readily attached to and removed from a standard paint can.

It is another object to provide a can attachment of the aforementioned character which expedites pouring of paint from the can and prevents overflow of paint therefrom during stirring.

It is still another object to provide a can attachment which embodies a removable paint brush support, so constructed and arranged as to properly support the brush within the confines of the attachment and with the bristle portion of the brush lower than the handle portion so that the paint remaining in the bristles will drain therefrom into the can thereby preventing contamination of both the outside of the can and the brush handle with paint.

It is a further object to provide an attachment as described in the previous paragraph in which the paint brush support is constructed so as to provide a straight surface against which the bristles of the brush may be wiped to enable uniform removal of excess paint therefrom.

In this regard, the support is so located that paint wiped from the bristles will flow back into the container without contaminating either the outside walls or the lid receiving groove of the container.

It is still another object to provide an attachment of the class described which can be inexpensively manufactured and yet, is durable and reliable in use.

In summary, these and other objects are achieved by an attachment for paint cans and the like of the type comprising cylindrical side walls, a bottom and a top having an outer peripheral side wall connecting bead which marginally encompasses the outer periphery of the can, an inner peripheral bead which defines a circular opening in the can and a groove intermediate the inner and outer beads adapted to receive the friction member of a pry-off type lid, said attachment comprising: a connecting web which is generally circular in plan and of a width sufficient to bridge the groove in the top of the can, the connecting web including: an outer peripheral edge provided with a resilient snap fit retainer section which is channel-shaped in crosssection and adapted to snap over the outer peripheral bead of the can; a depending locating rib which is generally V shaped in cross-section and is adapted to extend into the groove in the top of the can; and an inner peripheral edge which is channel-shaped in crosssection and is adapted to closely fit over the inner peripheral head of the can; a continuous wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the top surface of said connecting web and terminating in an upper rim, the wall having on one side a marginally projecting pouring spout portion and on the opposite side a first paint brush supporting structure in the form of an interruption in the wall adapted to support a paint brush handle; and a second brush supporting structure carried by said continuous wall intermediate the pouring spout portion and the first brush supporting structure for supporting a paint brush at a point adjacent the bristles thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the attachment for paint cans and the like of the present invention. The attachment is shown spaced apart from a container of the type with which it can be used characterized by having a top with a circular groove adapted to receive the friction member of a pry-off type lid.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the attachment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 33 showing the attachment as it appears when interconnected with a paint can or similar container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ONE FORM OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, the attachment for paint cans and the like of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 12. The attachment is adapted for use with containers of the type typically used for containing paint, varnish, liquid plastic, and other liquid materials, having cylindrical side walls 14 (FIGS. 1 and 3), a bottom (not shown), and a top having an outer peripheral side wall connecting bead 16 which marginally encompasses the outer periphery of the can, an inner peripheral bead 18 which defines a central circular opening 20 in the can, and a groove 22 intermediate the inner and outer beads 16 and 18 adapted to receive the friction member or tongue of a pry-off type lid (not shown).

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the attachment of the present invention comprises a connecting web 24 which is generally circular in plan and of a width sufficient to bridge groove 22 in the top of the can. The connecting web includes an outer peripheral edge provided with a resilient snap fit retainer section 26 which is channel-shaped in cross-section and adapted to snap over the outer peripheral bead 16 of the can. A depending locating rib 28 which is generally V shaped in cross-section is formed on the lower surface of web 24 and is adapted to extend into groove 22 in the top of the can. To locate the adapter with respect to the opening in the can, there is provided an inner peripheral edge 30 which is channel-shaped in cross-section and is adapted to closely fit over the inner peripheral bead 18 of the can.

Extending upwardly and outwardly from the top surface of connecting web 24 is a continuous wall 32. Wall 32 provides a smooth inwardly sloping internal surface 32a designed to provide a liquid drain path directly into the can. At the front portion of the adapter, wall 32 is provided with a smoothly blending marginally projecting pouring spout portion 34 configured so as to form a fluid-directing channel configured to expedite pouring of liquid from the container. Provided in wall 32 opposite pouring spout portion 34 is a first paint brush supporting means comprising, in this form of the invention, a generally hemispherically shaped interruption 36 formed in wall 32 proximate its upper end. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first paint brush supporting means of the invention is adapted to support the paint brush handle 38 near its extremity when the paint brush is resting on a second paint brush supporting means, generally designated by the numeral 40, the construction of which will presently be described.

Second paint brush supporting means 40 is carried by continuous wall 32 intermediate pouring spout portion 34 and the paint brush handle supporting interruption 36. This second paint brush supporting means is located longitudinally of the adapter at a location convenient for supporting the paint brush at a point 42 adjacent the bristles 44 thereof. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that second paint brush supporting means 40 is located at a lower elevation than first paint brush supporting means or interruption 36 so that when the paint brush is supported by the first and second supporting means, the bristle portion 44 of. the brush is lower than the handle portion 38.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, second paint brush supporting means 40 comprises an elongated generally cylindrically shaped supporting member or rod 46 and'a retaining means in the form of a pair of oppositely disposed gripping members 48 carried by wall 32. Members 48 include resilient channel-shaped sections 50 (FIG. 3) adapted to releasably grip the free ends of cylindrically shaped rod 46 so as to holdthe rod in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the top of the can.

The attachment of the present invention may be constructed of a hard rubber or moldable plastic in which case gripping members 48 may be formed integrally with walls 32a. The attachment may also be constructed of a heavy paper, fiber composite, or similar material in which case the gripping members and the connecting web 24 may be'formed separately of an appropriate resilient material and suitably bonded or otherwise connected to walls 32a.

The adapter of the invention as previously described can expeditiously be mounted on the opened can by simply placing the resilient outer peripheral portions 26 over the peripheral bead 16 of the can and gently pressing downwardly. When the adapter is to be used for pouring liquid from the container, brush supporting rod 46 can be removed by an upwardly directed force sufficient to free its ends from the resilient gripping channel of gripping members 48. After the pouring operation is complete, any liquid remaining on the pouring spout portion 34 will drain downwardly directly into the can. In this way, paint contamination of groove 22 and the exterior cylindrical walls 14 of the can is effectively precluded.

When the painter wishes to paint directly from the container, supporting rod 46 may easily be reinserted into channels 50 of gripping members 48. As previously discussed, rod 46 performs the dual function of supporting the brush in a proper orientation within the adapter and also provides a straight edge ideally suited for wiping excess paint from the bristles of the brush after the brush has been dipped into the paint within the can. It is to be appreciated that when the brush is resting on the brush support means in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3, paint remaining in bristles 44 will drain downwardly away from handle 38 onto the inner walls of pouring spout portion 34 and thence directly into the can. In this way, paint will not collect in the bristles of the brush.

When it is desired to reseal the can, the adapter may be lifted from the can by a slight upward force and the can lid replaced into the groove which has been maintained in a paint-free condition. When the container is empty, because the groove and side walls have been maintained in a paint-free condition by use of the adapter, the container can be used for storage of materials or other purposes.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An attachment for paint cans and the like of the type comprising cylindrical side walls, a bottom and a top having an outer peripheral side wall connecting bead which marginally encompasses the outer periphery of the can, an inner peripheral bead which defines a circular opening in the can and a groove intermediate the inner and outer beads adapted to receive the friction member of a pry-off type lid, said attachment comprising:

a. a connecting web which is generally circular in plan and of a width sufficient to bridge the groove in the top of the can, said connecting web including:

1. an outer peripheral edge provided with a resilient snap fit retainer section which is cannelshaped in cross-section and adapted to snap over the outer peripheral bead of the can;

2. a depending locating rib which is generally V shaped in cross-section and is adapted to extend into the groove in the top of the can; and

3. an inner peripheral edge which is channelshaped in cross-section and is adapted to closely fit over the inner peripheral bead of the can;

b. a continuous wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the top surface of said connecting web and terminating in an upper rim, said wall having on one side a marginally projecting pouring spout portion and on the opposite side a first paint brush supporting means in the form of an interruption in the wall adapted to support a paint brush handle; and

c. a second paint brush supporting means carried by said continuous wall intermediate said pouring spout portion and said first brush supporting means for supporting a paint brush at a point adjacent the bristles thereof.

2. An attachment as defined in claim 1 in which said second paint brush supporting means is located at a lower elevation than said first paint brush supporting means so that when the paint brush is supported by said first and second supporting means, the bristle portion of the brush is lower then the handle.

3. An attachment as defined in claim 1 in which said second paint brush supporting means comprises:

a. an elongated brush supporting member; and

b. retaining means carried by said continuous wall intermediate said connecting web and said upper rim for supporting said brush supporting member in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the top of the can.

4. An attachment as defined in claim 3 in which said brush supporting member comprises a generally cylindrically shaped rod and said retaining means comprises a pair of oppositely disposed gripping members affixed to said continuous wall adjacent the inner extremities of said marginally projecting pouring spout portion, said gripping members having a resilient channelshaped section adapted to releasably grip the free ends of said cylindrically shaped rod.

5. An attachment for paint cans and the like of the type comprising cylindrical side walls, a bottom and a top having an outer peripheral side wall connecting bead which marginally encompasses the outer periphery of the can, an inner peripheral bead which defines a circular opening in the can and a groove intermediate the inner and outer beads adapted to receive the friction member of a pry-off type lid, said attachment comprising:

a. a connecting web which is generally circular in plan and of a width sufficient to bridge the groove in the top of the can, said connecting web includl. an outer peripheral edge provided with a resilient snap fit retainer section which is channelshaped in cross-section and adapted to snap over the outer peripheral bead of the can;

2. a depending locating rib which is generally V shaped in cross-section and is adapted to extend into the groove in the top of the can; and

3. an inner peripheral edge which is channelshaped in cross-section and is adapted to closely fit over the inner peripheral bead of the can;

b. a continuous wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the top surface of said connecting web and terminating in an upper rim, said wall having on one side a marginally projecting pouring spout portion and on the opposite side a first paint brush supporting means in the form of an interruption in the wall adapted to support the paint brush handle; and

c. a second paint brush supporting means for supporting the brush adjacent the bristles thereof, said means comprising:

1. an elongated generally cylindrically shaped rod;

and

2. a pair of oppositely disposed gripping members affixed to said continuous wall at points adjacent the inner extremities of said marginally projecting spout portion and intermediate said connecting web and said upper n'm at an elevation lower than that of said first brush supporting means, said gripping members each having a resilient channel-shaped section adapted to releasably grip the free ends of said cylindrically shaped rod. 

1. An attachment for paint cans and the like of the type comprising cylindrical side walls, a bottom and a top having an outer peripheral side wall connecting bead which marginally encompasses the outer periphery of the can, an inner peripheral bead which defines a circular opening in the can and a groove intermediate the inner and outer beads adapted to receive the friction member of a pry-off type lid, said attachment comprising: a. a connecting web which is generally circular in plan and of a width sufficient to bridge the groove in the top of the can, said connecting web including:
 1. an outer peripheral edge provided with a resilient snap fit retainer section which is cannel-shaped in cross-section and adapted to snap over the outer peripheral bead of the can;
 2. a depending locating rib which is generally V shaped in cross-section and is adapted to extend into the groove in the top of the can; and
 3. an inner peripheral edge which is channel-shaped in crosssection and is adapted to closely fit over the inner peripheral bead of the can; b. a continuous wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the top surface of said connecting web and terminating in aN upper rim, said wall having on one side a marginally projecting pouring spout portion and on the opposite side a first paint brush supporting means in the form of an interruption in the wall adapted to support a paint brush handle; and c. a second paint brush supporting means carried by said continuous wall intermediate said pouring spout portion and said first brush supporting means for supporting a paint brush at a point adjacent the bristles thereof.
 2. a depending locating rib which is generally V shaped in cross-section and is adapted to extend into the groove in the top of the can; and
 2. An attachment as defined in claim 1 in which said second paint brush supporting means is located at a lower elevation than said first paint brush supporting means so that when the paint brush is supported by said first and second supporting means, the bristle portion of the brush is lower then the handle.
 2. a depending locating rib which is generally V shaped in cross-section and is adapted to extend into the groove in the top of the can; and
 2. a pair of oppositely disposed gripping members affixed to said continuous wall at points adjacent the inner extremities of said marginally projecting spout portion and intermediate said connecting web and said upper rim at an elevation lower than that of said first brush supporting means, said gripping members each having a resilient channel-shaped section adapted to releasably grip the free ends of said cylindrically shaped rod.
 3. an inner peripheral edge which is channel-shaped in cross-section and is adapted to closely fit over the inner peripheral bead of the can; b. a continuous wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the top surface of said connecting web and terminating in an upper rim, said wall having on one side a marginally projecting pouring spout portion and on the opposite side a first paint brush supporting means in the form of an interruption in the wall adapted to support the paint brush handle; and c. a second paint brush supporting means for supporting the brush adjacent the bristles thereof, said means comprising:
 3. An attachment as defined in claim 1 in which said second paint brush supporting means comprises: a. an elongated brush supporting member; and b. retaining means carried by said continuous wall intermediate said connecting web and said upper rim for supporting said brush supporting member in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the top of the can.
 3. an inner peripheral edge which is channel-shaped in cross-section and is adapted to closely fit over the inner peripheral bead of the can; b. a continuous wall extending upwardly and outwardly from the top surface of said connecting web and terminating in aN upper rim, said wall having on one side a marginally projecting pouring spout portion and on the opposite side a first paint brush supporting means in the form of an interruption in the wall adapted to support a paint brush handle; and c. a second paint brush supporting means carried by said continuous wall intermediate said pouring spout portion and said first brush supporting means for supporting a paint brush at a point adjacent the bristles thereof.
 4. An attachment as defined in claim 3 in which said brush supporting member comprises a generally cylindrically shaped rod and said retaining means comprises a pair of oppositely disposed gripping members affixed to said continuous wall adjacent the inner extremities of said marginally projecting pouring spout portion, said gripping members having a resilient channel-shaped section adapted to releasably grip the free ends of said cylindrically shaped rod.
 5. An attachment for paint cans and the like of the type comprising cylindrical side walls, a bottom and a top having an outer peripheral side wall connecting bead which marginally encompasses the outer periphery of the can, an inner peripheral bead which defines a circular opening in the can and a groove intermediate the inner and outer beads adapted to receive the friction member of a pry-off type lid, said attachment comprising: a. a connecting web which is generally circular in plan and of a width sufficient to bridge the groove in the top of the can, said connecting web including: 